Tag Archives: panic attacks

Contraception and Mental Illness

Contraception has given women choices about the timing and number of children they may have. But, like any drug, contraceptives have side-effects and we as consumers should be made aware of all of them. Including those that involve our mental health. Today’s blog tells the story of Emily. After marrying her childhood sweetheart, she decided to use a contraceptive implant as she and her husband wanted to wait a few years before having children. She was assured by her doctor that the implant was safe and would provide her with an effective means of contraception. What the doctor didn’t take … Continue reading →

Are You Running the Show or is the Show Running You? (1)

There are all sorts of formal definitions for what stress is, but one of the basic criteria that characterize stress is: do you feel in control of your life, or do you want the world to just stop while you catch your breath? When we feel a sense of control in our lives, we experience much less stress. It is when we feel that events are spiraling out of our control that those familiar symptoms start creeping into our lives. Stress headaches, indigestion, palpitations, a sense of dread, endless worrying, an inability to sleep well, loss of appetite and plain … Continue reading →

Why Antidepressants Could Help Your Teen on the Autism Spectrum

Imagine the moments in your life when you were the most nervous. Maybe you faced auditioning for a big part, or asking your spouse to marry you, or owning up to doing something wrong. Remember the gnawing feeling of fear? Remember the physical tension and jitteriness you felt? Well, it’s possible that your son or daughter on the autism spectrum may be in a similar state of anxiety a majority of the time. Many autistic children, especially upon reaching puberty, are ruled by fear. Temple Grandin, Ph.D., an autistic woman who is an author, professor, and public speaker, has taught … Continue reading →

Anxiety: The new plague of the millennium

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Stress and anxiety have overtaken the contagious diseases that once plagued our grandparents and are regarded as the new epidemics of the 21st century. Having developed vaccinations for any number of communicable and deadly diseases, we are now left with the unease of the mind. Our fast-paced lives and changing family structures can contribute to a sense of helplessness and instability. Stressed-out people are now far more common than laid-back folk, and this is reflected in the increasing incidence of domestic violence, road rage, stress-related illness, and full-blown mental breakdowns, together with the rapidly escalating use of tranquillizers and antidepressants. … Continue reading →

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder: What causes it?

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Most people have heard of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). It was the Vietnam War that really put PTSD on the psychological map of the average person in the street. Veterans of that war became increasingly vocal about the aftereffects of the war, not only physical, but psychological. The disorder slowly became recognized, both by the health community and the general public alike. It was given a name: Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. Of course, PTSD has existed from the time humans first roamed the earth. After the First and Second World Wars, it was referred to as “shell-shock” and most people are … Continue reading →

Supporting a person with Panic Disorder (2)

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It takes a special person to support a friend who suffers from panic attacks and is using exposure therapy to recover from their condition. Patience, perseverance, understanding, and a caring nature are essential to facilitate recovery. But with help, you can learn to assist your friend overcome this debilitating condition. Following on from our first article in this series, here are some more tips to move your friend towards recovery. 1. Accept that it is up to your friend to decide what they can and cannot do in each session. It is not up to you to set the goals, … Continue reading →

Do you have Panic Disorder with/without Agoraphobia? (3)

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Panic attacks can happen to anyone given the right set of circumstances. Panic Disorder occurs in approximately 3.5% of the population. However the true proportion is likely to be much higher as sufferers, particularly males, do not seek treatment for the disorder for a variety of reasons. These reasons range from embarrassment, inability to attend a doctor’s office, or fear of being diagnosed as insane. Males typically manage the problem via the use of alcohol to temporarily mask symptoms, although this is also a common technique utilized by females, particularly those in the workplace who cannot afford to leave their … Continue reading →

What is Panic Disorder? (1)

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Do you know someone who seldom seems to leave the house, or if they do they leave in the company of another person? Are they reluctant to accept invitations to weddings, attend social events, or even have a cup of coffee at your place, but are more than happy to hold functions at their own residence? Then that person may be suffering from Panic Disorder with Agoraphobia. Panic attacks are frightening events and often occur after an isolated trauma or, alternatively, after a long period of sustained stress. The attacks are terrifying and appear to come out of the blue … Continue reading →